Firstly, Well done on the hard Yakka this year Wal, I can relate to most of the things that you've had to endure!

Wal42 wrote:I may do the 10K club next year BUT I won't be trying to do the distance I've done this year.

My first goal this year was to take out #1 on the BJ site, about mid year my target was to stay within 5K of 1st, now I don't think I'll stay within 10K of 1st & 3rd place will probably pass me in the next week or 2.

Why? I have had constant pain in my lower back for the last 6 months (I usually have lower back soreness so this wasn't too big an issue), my cods (balls, testies, whatever) have been constantly numb for about the last 3 months, I've had saddle sores that haven't healed since around August, my hat goes off to the guy leading BJ because I'm destroying myself trying to stay in the same state little less the same town.

I used to have lots of lower back pain as my L4/L5 is pretty decrepit, however I've worked heaps on my core strength and very rarely suffer even on long or mountainous rides which used to do me in. I'm also developing a lot more power as my hamstring/ITB integrity has improved as a result.

But the straw that broke the camels back was-

On the weekend, riding with my usual group, I went to put just a little hurt on them, whilst I could accelerate away, I couldn't lay down any kind of decent sprint, if I was racing, my sprint was that weak I would have been easy swamped, yesterday I went for a ride & found I just have no juice in my legs. I have been going through a tube of 2 different anti-inflammatory's every month, just to keep my legs in good enough condition to function off the bike.

It's hard to keep the butt etc. in good condition riding every day, I've had a few troubles this year but I have been trying to break in a couple of new Brookes saddles. Also I always have at least 1 and more often 2 days in a week when I only commute (28kms) or do a small leisurely ride

From here to the end of the year, I'll be doing the 25km daily commute, the Saturday group ride & just easy 30-50km rides on Sundays & Mondays.

Next year I will set maybe 15K, but I won't be chasing that target, I'll be riding for the enjoyment, I know from past years I'll probably knock out somewhere over that mark, but I'm not going to actively going to chase any point.

Next year I'm planning a different training strategy probably record some stuff on Strava with my new Garmin.

Seem to remember why I don't really like things like strava or BJ, you can get too focused about minor things & forget the major ones (like really enjoying cycling).

Somehow I manage to still enjoy my cycling but then maybe I'm a masochist!

Hit my target (14,000) this morning on the way into work. I'm reasonably happy with that after having a slow down mid year with a few aches and pains, change of job, and other life related stuff that affects my ability to get the numbers up!

On the upside, I've started putting more intent into my riding by doing some high intensity training sessions 1 - 2 times a week and have gone up a group and am starting to hang on to the lead guys at the end of the session. The good thing about Strava is that it gives you a bit of an idea about the improvements you are making. One of the segments I do which has a fairly large number of riders I managed to go from being in the 40's up to number 6 on the ladder!

This mornings ride saw my 13,000k done and dusted and moved into number 10 spot. I'm a happy camper.All told tr was afairly good year except for a knee blowing up in April and missing out on the Noosa Imperial Century and having a big stack about the sme time and stuffing my shoulder.

15 days left, many k's to go - I guess I'll take it 1 day at a time dependant on weather and social engagements, I'll keep accumulating the big K's and maybe have a go if the opportunity presents itself....

15 days left, many k's to go - I guess I'll take it 1 day at a time dependant on weather and social engagements, I'll keep accumulating the big K's and maybe have a go if the opportunity presents itself....

15 days left, many k's to go - I guess I'll take it 1 day at a time dependant on weather and social engagements, I'll keep accumulating the big K's and maybe have a go if the opportunity presents itself....

Where are you at currently?

I'm currently at 28,100 with 13 days to go....I've decided that discretion is the better part of valour ie. I don't want to kill myself!

I'm now aiming at 29,300 - 1200 in 13 days with some rest days & a bit of socialising - as it should be at this time of year!

Well done to everyone who made their targets!. My years over just short of 15,000... But can't be bothered with the last hour or two's riding... Off on the 1st for a few days sans velo then back into it. Next year I will be viewing meters climbed and hours on the bike more than km's ridden... Still hoping to crack 15,000 next year though

Ah ah! That was my 5th and final year of BJ comp. I was very happy to finish no. 7 (29,266 km) which was my 1st (& last!) finish in the BJ Top 10. Mind you, I had to ride almost 600 k's over the last 3 very hot days in Perth (40.5, 37.5 & 42.1 deg.) to edge out the guy in Kansas who had to ride 164km on the 31st but is yet to post anything.

Well done to all that have striven to achieve their challenge over a year and best wishes for your respective goals this year and stay safe.

Jeepers bump, I was reading "BJ comp" in a totally wrong way... finally trawled my mind out of gutter to recall what Bike Journal was =PMy 10k was merely incidental in distance to get from home to work, but is my #1 hobby/recreation after family/kids so love it. Another 9 years required for cycling to break even against the train travel budget... but that sounds like a life sentence of misery in a tin can versus joy freedom and the open air.Belated Happy 2013